I recently replaced the muffler on my 1994 850 non-turbo sedan with a Bosul BO290517 that can be found in many of the online stores. To my disappointment, the exhaust sound was just as loud or louder than the one I had removed. There were no holes in the old one and it appeared to be in great shape. The type of sound I'm referring to is the low muted rumble that I think many of the younger generation spends hard earned money trying to make it sound like what this one produces naturally. One problem that I did notice was that with a slight acceleration, the noise would get louder. What I found, or at least think I found was that joint that's under the passenger seat wasn't seated well. By leaving the clamp with a medium pressure applied and the exhaust system at idle temperature, I used a thick glove to wiggle the joint, and then tighten the clamp further. This appears to have solved the problem with loudness at a slight acceleration. Is there a better way to do this?

One other poster noticed what appears to be an increase in horsepower after replacing the muffler. Either I'm nuts, or I'm noticing the exact same thing. I've always been afraid to pass anyone in this vehicle before due to the lack of horsepower, but it now seems to be a bit peppier. I did spend a bit of time a few weeks ago cleaning out the clogged EGR valve, and my local repair shop had replaced the catalytic converter a while back.

I'm confident that there are no exaust leaks behind the engine or under the vehicle, but the muted rumble remains, as well as a somewhat interesting racetrack sound once the engine hits 3000 rpm plus. It's not a bad sound, but not quite what I was looking for in a daily driver for an FOG like myself.

I'm still somewhat of a Volvo noob. If there's some secret muffler volume control that can be dialed in or programmed into the A/B diagnostics interface, I would like to know about it.

Thanks,

-Bill

 

Just adding a muffler doesn't add horsepower. So you didn't get more power from just a muffler. That is a fact.

 

Sounds like you solved the problem. As for the power issue. I too higly doubt a muffler freed up any horsepower. It is possible that the muffler reduced backpressure a bit so the car runs a bit smoother, but that is about the extent of it.

 

Hey now ,

I'm fairly new the the Volvo 850, had mine for a couple of years, and I'm fairly certain that there is no possible way to control the volume of the exhaust through the diagnostic A/B ports. Sorry.[]

It may be that you were so used to the old sound and the new muffler, now with the clamp leak fixed, has a different tone that may take some getting used to.

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